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The Music Room => Great Recordings and Reviews => Topic started by: hornteacher on August 17, 2010, 07:16:10 PM

Title: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: hornteacher on August 17, 2010, 07:16:10 PM
That's the release date for Hilary Hahn's new CD of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (one of my favorites).  Its coupled with the premiere recording of the Higdon Violin Concerto (which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music this year).  Looking forward to hearing this new work as well.  AND HH is on the cover of BBC Music Magazine next month.  Its going to be a nice autumn.   :)
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 17, 2010, 07:49:41 PM
Quote from: hornteacher on August 17, 2010, 07:16:10 PMThat's the release date for Hilary Hahn's new CD of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (one of my favorites).  Its coupled with the premiere recording of the Higdon Violin Concerto (which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music this year).



I was wondering when the Tchaikovsky was going to be issued.  I'll be hearing Ms Hahn perform it in concert in October.  I guess I'll have to buy the disc to determine if she's better in person or on disc.  (Incidentally, the disc is already available in Japan.)
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Herman on August 17, 2010, 11:46:35 PM
Wow, the Tchaikovsky violin concerto!

I wonder what it's like.

BTW I think it's a lovely piece of music, but a new recording of this piece everyone has recorded, I cannot see that as a life changing experience.

It's played so often in concert that I don't see any need to listen to a cd recording, though I have a couple (inevitably); which brings one to the issue of the ever shrinking repertoire. Violin concertos: Beethoven, Brahms, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky. No need to program anything else, people might get upset.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: The new erato on August 17, 2010, 11:54:02 PM
Quote from: Herman on August 17, 2010, 11:46:35 PM
Wow, the Tchaikovsky violin concerto!

I wonder what it's like.

BTW I think it's a lovely piece of music, but a new recording of this piece everyone has recorded, I cannot see that as a life changing experience.

It's played so often in concert that I don't see any need to listen to a cd recording, though I have a couple (inevitably); which brings one to the issue of the ever shrinking repertoire. Violin concertos: Beethoven, Brahms, Sibelius, Tchaikovsky. No need to program anything else, people might get upset.
+1

If you're into that particular performer I can see the interest, but as an issue of a recording of a piece of music it is totally without interest.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Brian on August 18, 2010, 06:12:37 AM
My experiences with Jennifer Higdon's music make me less likely to buy the disc...
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: karlhenning on August 18, 2010, 06:14:30 AM
Just for information: What orchestra(s)?
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 18, 2010, 06:22:52 AM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on August 18, 2010, 06:14:30 AMJust for information: What orchestra(s)?


(http://img.hmv.co.jp/image/jacket/190/37/9/2/312.jpg)


The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.  Interestingly, the Higdon gets top billing, in so far as that matters.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: False_Dmitry on August 18, 2010, 06:27:36 AM
Quote from: Todd on August 18, 2010, 06:22:52 AM

(http://img.hmv.co.jp/image/jacket/190/37/9/2/312.jpg)


The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.  Interestingly, the Higdon gets top billing, in so far as that matters.

And Petrenko is presumably the guy who made the tea  :(
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: MN Dave on August 18, 2010, 06:31:43 AM
I'll be a campy happer.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Brian on August 18, 2010, 06:33:06 AM
Quote from: False_Dmitry on August 18, 2010, 06:27:36 AM
And Petrenko is presumably the guy who made the tea  :(

Well, it guarantees that the orchestra will give a really strong, lively, interesting accompaniment - if it's anything like Petrenko's turn in the No 2 role for Simon Trpceski on Avie, or for Eldar Nebolsin on Naxos. Of course, I imagine DG will have recorded the CD so it sounds like Hahn is 50 feet in front of the rest of the players.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 18, 2010, 06:33:29 AM
Quote from: False_Dmitry on August 18, 2010, 06:27:36 AMAnd Petrenko is presumably the guy who made the tea



Generally people do buy concerto recordings from big name soloists for the conductor.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: False_Dmitry on August 18, 2010, 07:37:50 AM
Quote from: Brian on August 18, 2010, 06:33:06 AM
Well, it guarantees that the orchestra will give a really strong, lively, interesting accompaniment - if it's anything like Petrenko's turn in the No 2 role for Simon Trpceski on Avie, or for Eldar Nebolsin on Naxos. Of course, I imagine DG will have recorded the CD so it sounds like Hahn is 50 feet in front of the rest of the players.

Petrenko is an extremely able conductor :)  He's very good in opera, especially in the "bel canto" repertoire, where he has a very deft and stylish touch.  He was guesting here in Moscow a few years ago, and played a very nice RITA.  Not my favourite repertoire at all - but the music comes alive when it's sensitively treated :)

You drew a wry smile with the comment about DG's bizarre spacial separations :)
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: hornteacher on August 18, 2010, 03:25:36 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 18, 2010, 06:12:37 AM
My experiences with Jennifer Higdon's music make me less likely to buy the disc...

I'm not familiar with her music but caught the online interview HH did with her.  We tend to have similar tastes Brian so I'm interested on your take of Higdon.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: hornteacher on August 18, 2010, 03:29:25 PM
Quote from: erato on August 17, 2010, 11:54:02 PM
If you're into that particular performer I can see the interest, but as an issue of a recording of a piece of music it is totally without interest.

Agreed.  Another Tchaikovsky VC recording isn't needed, I've just been very pleased with HH's interpretation of other "standards" in the past and would love to hear her take on this one.  Now if I could just get her do to the Dvorak VC.......
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 04:31:59 PM
Quote from: hornteacher on August 18, 2010, 03:29:25 PMNow if I could just get her do to the Dvorak VC.......

Well I definitely wouldn't buy the recording for the Jennifer Whatshername Violin Concerto. Whatshername is one of the worst contemporary composers I've heard. It amazes me that the Whatshername concerto gets top billing on this recording. The Tchaikovsky is an old workhorse, but it's still a great work in my opinion.

I would like to hear Hahn tackle some more lesser-known repertoire. Since she recorded RVW's The Lark Ascending, I would like to hear her play his Concerto Academico or even Myaskovsky's Violin Concerto for example. There are so many better composer's music that she could easily advocate and champion.

Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Brian on August 18, 2010, 06:31:51 PM
Quote from: hornteacher on August 18, 2010, 03:29:25 PM
Agreed.  Another Tchaikovsky VC recording isn't needed, I've just been very pleased with HH's interpretation of other "standards" in the past and would love to hear her take on this one.  Now if I could just get her do to the Dvorak VC.......

Mmm, imagine HH doing the Dvorak, Wieniawski No 2, and Coleridge-Taylor. I'd buy THAT.

Higdon's blue cathedral is the work I have heard of hers. It was an attempt to pander to the audience without really being pretty, somewhat Hollywoody without being expressive, and required the string players to shake these little metal things which made an "alien spaceship" noise for several minutes. I like a good hoke-fest, but only if it endorses its hokiness and goes for splashy tunes and fun. Pretentious hokiness is just weird.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 06:40:51 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 18, 2010, 06:31:51 PM
Mmm, imagine HH doing the Dvorak, Wieniawski No 2, and Coleridge-Taylor. I'd buy THAT.

Higdon's blue cathedral is the work I have heard of hers. It was an attempt to pander to the audience without really being pretty, somewhat Hollywoody without being expressive, and required the string players to shake these little metal things which made an "alien spaceship" noise for several minutes. I like a good hoke-fest, but only if it endorses its hokiness and goes for splashy tunes and fun. Pretentious hokiness is just weird.

I'm telling you Jennifer Whatshername is awful. There's nothing remotely honest coming from her music at all. It's all smoke and mirrors to me. I'm just surprised to see her Violin Concerto being released so quickly when there are other composers more deserving to be performed.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 18, 2010, 07:01:56 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 06:40:51 PMI'm just surprised to see her Violin Concerto being released so quickly when there are other composers more deserving to be performed.


According to whom, other than you?  The marketing for the disc seems pretty clear.  Hilary Hahn is playing some core rep along with something new, and by a female composer no less.  It will make for interesting interview subject matter, show Ms Hahn as championing new music, and so on.  Someone like Myaskovsky, well, pretty much no one cares about his music, and it doesn't make for interesting press. 
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 07:27:27 PM
Quote from: Todd on August 18, 2010, 07:01:56 PMAccording to whom, other than you?  The marketing for the disc seems pretty clear.  Hilary Hahn is playing some core rep along with something new, and by a female composer no less.  It will make for interesting interview subject matter, show Ms Hahn as championing new music, and so on.  Someone like Myaskovsky, well, pretty much no one cares about his music, and it doesn't make for interesting press.

Spoken like a true PR person instead of a classical fan. Profits are so important aren't they to you? The marketing aspect of the music is always more important than the music isn't it, Toad, I mean Todd.

P.S. There are plenty of people on this forum that cares about Myaskovsky's music. Go to his composer thread and look for yourself. Your ignorance is overwhelmingly disappointing.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Brian on August 18, 2010, 07:36:21 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 07:27:27 PMToad, I mean Todd.

Froggian slip?
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: kishnevi on August 18, 2010, 08:11:46 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 07:27:27 PM

Spoken like a true PR person instead of a classical fan. Profits are so important aren't they to you? The marketing aspect of the music is always more important than the music isn't it, Toad, I mean Todd.

P.S. There are plenty of people on this forum that cares about Myaskovsky's music. Go to his composer thread and look for yourself. Your ignorance is overwhelmingly disappointing.

Recording companies are business out to make money for themselves.  So if Jennifer Higdon's music sells better than Mysaskovsky's, they'll go for Higdon.  And living female American composers will draw  in general more attention than dead male Russian composers.  There are lots of classical music buyers to whom names like Mysaskovksy are hardly known.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 18, 2010, 08:13:22 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 07:27:27 PM
Spoken like a true PR person instead of a classical fan. Profits are so important aren't they to you? The marketing aspect of the music is always more important than the music isn't it, Toad, I mean Todd.

P.S. There are plenty of people on this forum that cares about Myaskovsky's music. Go to his composer thread and look for yourself. Your ignorance is overwhelmingly disappointing.


How old are you?  Seriously, I'd like to know.  I have my suspicions, but there's always the chance you are older than I think, which would be rather sad.

You obviously confuse your enthusiasm for insignificant and occasionally mediocre composers with some type of pure love for music.  As to "plenty" of people caring about Myaskovsky, with this forum as evidence, well, that just shows how disconnected from reality you are.  Classical music generally is irrelevant to almost everyone.  It's a very good thing you do not run a classical record label, or an orchestra, or a music festival, because you'd help to kill the very thing you profess to love.

Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 08:38:19 PM
Quote from: Todd on August 18, 2010, 08:13:22 PM

How old are you?  Seriously, I'd like to know.  I have my suspicions, but there's always the chance you are older than I think, which would be rather sad.

You obviously confuse your enthusiasm for insignificant and occasionally mediocre composers with some type of pure love for music.  As to "plenty" of people caring about Myaskovsky, with this forum as evidence, well, that just shows how disconnected from reality you are.  Classical music generally is irrelevant to almost everyone.  It's a very good thing you do not run a classical record label, or an orchestra, or a music festival, because you'd help to kill the very thing you profess to love.

I don't need to prove anything to you, Toad, I mean Todd. What I said is very clear, you care more about the promotional aspect of this music than you actually do the music. It will never be the music with you, it's always about what is popular or in critical favor. You have no adventurous attitude to explore music. Many of the best composers are the ones rarely talked about like Myaskovsky. I'm glad not all record labels think like you do, if you ran a label, then I doubt we would ever hear Myaskovsky or Rubbra or Walton or Revueltas. You claim I would be the "death" of classical music if I ran a label, but how is promoting composers who are much more skillful and talented than Jennifer Whatshername killing classical music? If anything, I would be promoting something that your tiny brain couldn't fathom.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Brian on August 18, 2010, 08:41:36 PM
Quote from: Todd on August 18, 2010, 08:13:22 PM
How old are you?  Seriously

Quote from: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 08:38:19 PMyour tiny brain couldn't fathom.

Okay, everyone step back, calm down, and count to 20. There's little need for this.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 18, 2010, 08:43:33 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 08:38:19 PMWhat I said is very clear, you care more about the promotional aspect of this music than you actually do the music. It will never be the music with you, it's always about what is popular or in critical favor.



Well, thanks for your post, because it very clearly shows what type of poster you really are.  Perhaps you should look at the "New" Music Log thread - your ignorance may, may be revealed to you.  Ah, who am I kidding.

Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 18, 2010, 08:44:45 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 18, 2010, 08:41:36 PMOkay, everyone step back, calm down, and count to 20. There's little need for this.


Brian, my question is legitimate.  Either Mirror Image is a kid, or an adult with severely stunted development.  It seems appropriate for people to know.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Dancing Divertimentian on August 18, 2010, 08:48:09 PM
Mirror,

I think the main objection here is your assertion that Higdon isn't worthy as a composer but others are. Which is ironic as you seem to be guy who pounds home the "opinions first" mantra like no other on this board. Correct?

But you can't plausibly condemn one composer while exalting ANY other if the world revolves around simple opinion, right?

Or are you saying it doesn't?
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 08:52:23 PM
Quote from: Brian on August 18, 2010, 08:41:36 PM
Okay, everyone step back, calm down, and count to 20. There's little need for this.

You're right Brian.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 08:55:18 PM
Quote from: Dancing Divertimentian on August 18, 2010, 08:48:09 PM
Mirror,

I think the main objection here is your assertion that Higdon isn't worthy as a composer but others are. Which is ironic as you seem to be guy who pounds home the "opinions first" mantra like no other on this board. Correct?

But you can't plausibly condemn one composer while exalting ANY other if the world revolves around simple opinion, right?

Or are you saying it doesn't?

I understand you're point. I was out-of-line. I accept that.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 08:57:08 PM
Quote from: Todd on August 18, 2010, 08:43:33 PM

Well, thanks for your post, because it very clearly shows what type of poster you really are.  Perhaps you should look at the "New" Music Log thread - your ignorance may, may be revealed to you.  Ah, who am I kidding.

Todd, I'm sorry for those rude comments to you. You didn't deserve that. I understand your points. I guess me being the arrogant jerk I am didn't want to accept them. My apologies to you.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Bulldog on August 18, 2010, 09:35:06 PM
Quote from: Todd on August 18, 2010, 08:13:22 PM


You obviously confuse your enthusiasm for insignificant and occasionally mediocre composers with some type of pure love for music.  As to "plenty" of people caring about Myaskovsky, with this forum as evidence, well, that just shows how disconnected from reality you are. 

I think very highly of Miaskovsky's music: Violin Concerto, Cello Sonatas and Concerto, many of the symphonies and the string quartets.  I don't have any idea of his level of popularity nor do I care.  I do know that there are plenty of Miaskovsky recordings on the market, so I am a happy camper. 


Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Mirror Image on August 18, 2010, 09:42:44 PM
Quote from: Bulldog on August 18, 2010, 09:35:06 PM
I think very highly of Miaskovsky's music: Violin Concerto, Cello Sonatas and Concerto, many of the symphonies and the string quartets.  I don't have any idea of his level of popularity nor do I care.  I do know that there are plenty of Miaskovsky recordings on the market, so I am a happy camper.

I couldn't agree with you more Bulldog. Myaskovsky is one of my favorite Russian composers. His symphony cycle is outstanding, especially Nos. 20-27. I love these. I own Svetlanov's Myaskovsky symphony box set, so I'm always a happy camper when I listen to this set.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Daverz on August 18, 2010, 10:28:53 PM
I have her Bach, Schoenberg, and Elgar, but so far I think I've only really liked her playing in one recording, Spohr's Violin Concerto No. 8.  Really lovely tone in that one.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 19, 2010, 06:55:10 AM
Quote from: Bulldog on August 18, 2010, 09:35:06 PM
I don't have any idea of his level of popularity nor do I care.  I do know that there are plenty of Miaskovsky recordings on the market, so I am a happy camper.



Yes, but I don't recall you ever trying to make more of an obscure composer than is there.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Bulldog on August 19, 2010, 08:02:43 AM
Quote from: Todd on August 19, 2010, 06:55:10 AM


Yes, but I don't recall you ever trying to make more of an obscure composer than is there.

Well, I realize that my liking a particular composer does very little to enhance his general reputation; I'm just a small fish in a large ocean.

Having said the above, I'm likely not as "expansive" as you concerning composers who are in the obscure category.  Sticking with the Russian connection, I'd say that a composer such as Steinberg better fits the label: hardly known with just a couple of recordings on the market. 
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 19, 2010, 08:12:07 AM
Quote from: Bulldog on August 19, 2010, 08:02:43 AM
Having said the above, I'm likely not as "expansive" as you concerning composers who are in the obscure category.



I guess expansiveness depends on the context.  In the context of this forum, and of specialist collectors, Myaskovsy is not especially obscure when compared with Steinberg, say.  How about for the majority of people who attend classical concerts and recitals?  How about people who buy the occasional classical CD?  For them, I'd hazard to guess Myaskovsky is more than a little obscure.  Indeed, classical music itself is obscure for most people. 
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Bulldog on August 19, 2010, 09:53:40 AM
Quote from: Todd on August 19, 2010, 08:12:07 AM


I guess expansiveness depends on the context.  In the context of this forum, and of specialist collectors, Myaskovsy is not especially obscure when compared with Steinberg, say.  How about for the majority of people who attend classical concerts and recitals?  How about people who buy the occasional classical CD?  For them, I'd hazard to guess Myaskovsky is more than a little obscure.  Indeed, classical music itself is obscure for most people.

Yes, it can be lonely world for classical music enthusiasts.  I remember a conference of Real Estate Chiefs from the southwest part of the country a few years ago.  There were about 10 of us, and all the others were grooving on country music.  When I mentioned that my preference was classical music and that country didn't do anything for me, each of them looked at me like I came from a different planet.  However, they just figured that my being born and raised in the Boston area accounted for my odd musical tastes.

Come to think of it, with all the regional and national conferences I attended over the years, I met only one other person who reguarly listened to classical music; that's one out of hundreds. 
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: Todd on August 19, 2010, 10:15:06 AM
Quote from: Bulldog on August 19, 2010, 09:53:40 AM
Yes, it can be lonely world for classical music enthusiasts.



Alas, this is true.  I will say that my experience meeting classical music fans in a professional setting has been more positive.  I've met two people who listen to classical music regularly.  At this rate, I may meet up to four such people before I retire.
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: DavidRoss on August 19, 2010, 11:08:14 AM
Quote from: hornteacher on August 17, 2010, 07:16:10 PM
That's the release date for Hilary Hahn's new CD of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto (one of my favorites).  Its coupled with the premiere recording of the Higdon Violin Concerto (which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music this year).  Looking forward to hearing this new work as well.  AND HH is on the cover of BBC Music Magazine next month.  Its going to be a nice autumn.   :)
I'm with you on this one, horny!  Not only have I nearly always been satisfied by Ms Hahn's recordings, but I also like Ms Higdon's music.  There's been some stuffon both their websites over the past year or so about this project, and a concerto written for and with Hahn and which won the Pultizer Prize interests me quite a bit.  Plus (even were I so inclined) I've eaten enough humble pie in my life to know better than to heap scorn on music yet unheard, or on artists of such caliber.  ;)  8)
Title: Re: 9/21/2010 - I will be a very happy camper
Post by: hornteacher on August 19, 2010, 06:49:37 PM
Quote from: DavidRoss on August 19, 2010, 11:08:14 AM
There's been some stuffon both their websites over the past year or so about this project, and a concerto written for and with Hahn and which won the Pultizer Prize interests me quite a bit.

It may be a terrible composition, but it could turn out to be fabulous.  The other violin concerto that was composed some years ago specifically for HH (the Meyer) was very beautiful.  I like how she is being influential in expanding the repertoire.